IRA Institute

IRA Institute is a training program that provides in-depth instruction on the “need-to-know” aspects of Traditional IRAs, Roth IRAs, SEP plans, and SIMPLE IRA plans. IRA Institute integrates extensive IRA material, objective-based training methods, and practical applications of the rules to create the ideal learning environment.

Register for IRA Institute
Register for IRA Institute Online
Register for Virtual IRA Institute

Course Overview

IRA Institute has three delivery formats, online, virtual, and onsite, to prepare you to earn the nationally recognized CIP or CISP designation.

What You Will Learn
After successfully completing IRA Institute, you will be able to do the following.

  • Establish and administer Traditional and Roth IRAs
  • Understand the rules for SEP and SIMPLE IRA plans
  • Describe the contribution eligibility requirements
  • Process IRA distributions, transfers, and rollovers
  • Understand beneficiary options and process these transactions
  • Process tax reporting to the IRS and IRA owners
  • Mitigate risk by reducing errors and penalties


Course Topics

  • Establishment and amendments
  • Prohibited transactions
  • Contributions
  • Transfers and rollovers
  • Conversions and recharacterizations
  • Excess contributions
  • IRA distributions and withholding
  • Required minimum distributions
  • Beneficiary distributions
  • Reporting
  • Handling legal issues
  • SEP and SIMPLE IRA plans
See our FAQs on IRA Institute Online

Registration Fees

IRA Institute
Each Attendee $1,799

IRA Institute Online
Each Attendee $1,795

Virtual IRA Institute
Each Attendee $1,699

Exam Fees
CIP – $299
The optional CIP exam is taken electronically at your office for IRA Institute Online. 

CISP – $575
To register for the CISP exam, you must apply to the American Bankers Association (ABA). The CISP exam is taken at a Castle Testing Center during a limited testing window determined by the ABA. For additional information and to obtain the exam application, visit the ABA website.

Audience

Audience
You should attend IRA Institute if you

  • want to earn the CIP or CISP designation,
  • need CE credits,
  • are looking to acquire comprehensive IRA knowledge, and
  • have two years of IRA compliance or operations experience.

Schedule

Onsite
Monday – Thursday
Breakfast - 7:15 a.m. – 8 a.m.
Lunch - 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Session - 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Friday
Breakfast - 7:15 a.m. – 8 a.m.
Lunch on your own - 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Session - 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Optional study session - 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.

Online
A detailed schedule for our IRA Institute Online will be provided 2-3 weeks prior to each session start date. It’s a 12-week course with assignments due each week.

Virtual
A detailed schedule for our Virtual IRA Institute will be provided prior to the session start date. It’s a 10, half-day course over two weeks with assignments due each week.

2025 ABA CISP Exam Application and Testing Schedule

Application Deadline 2025 Testing
January 8, 2025 March 1 - 31, 2025
March 17, 2025 May 15 - June 15, 2025
July 17, 2025 September 15 - October 15, 2025
October 2, 2025 December 1 - December 20, 2025

Minneapolis, MN

May 5 - 9, 2025

Minneapolis

Embassy Suites Minneapolis Downtown
12 Sixth Street South
Minneapolis, MN 55402
612-351-2554

Room Rate: $169
Room Discount cut-off date: April 4, 2025

Professional Development

Attending IRA Institute is one of the ways you’re able to become a CIP or CISP. To learn more, visit our CIP or CISP designation pages.